Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s labor and employment disputes group is adept at representing employers before state and federal courts in litigation prompted by restrictive covenant and trade secrets violations, allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and unfair competition matters. The team, which ’stands out for the depth of its expertise, the consistency of its client service, and its ability to provide highly practical, business-oriented advice across the full spectrum of employment matters,’ is active across a wide range of industries, with its client roster comprising notable companies spanning the retail, media and entertainment, and food and beverage sectors. Los Angeles’ Emily Vicente co-heads the department alongside Kevin White – who is based between Washington DC and Houston – and specializes in sexual harassment claims, pay equity disputes, and wage and hour class actions. White stands out for his expertise in discrimination class actions and wage and hour litigation, with a particular focus on energy and retail.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Strong, zealous advocacy.’

  • ‘Strong experience in a variety of high stakes disputes. ’

  • ‘Christopher Pardo is an outstanding, zealous advocate. He is also exceedingly practical, understanding both the legal and business side of the issue.’

  • ‘Very strategic in approach.’

  • ‘The practice stands out for the depth of its expertise, the consistency of its client service, and its ability to provide highly practical, business-oriented advice across the full spectrum of employment matters.’

  • ‘What makes the practice truly unique is its combination of sophisticated legal analysis with a clear understanding of clients’ commercial realities, risk tolerance, and operational needs.’

  • ‘The team is exceptionally strong in handling complex and sensitive matters, including high-stakes employment litigation, workplace investigations, executive and employee separations, and compliance with evolving federal, state, and local employment laws.’
  • ‘The lawyers are proactive, responsive, and strategic, often anticipating issues before they arise and offering solutions that are not only legally sound but also pragmatic and implementable.’
  • ‘Compared with other firms, Hunton’s labor and employment practice distinguishes itself through its collaborative approach and seamless integration with other practice areas, including corporate, regulatory, and litigation teams. This cross-disciplinary strength allows the firm to address employment issues holistically, particularly in transactions, restructurings, and crisis situations.’
  • ‘Kevin White has been an exceptional partner.’

Practice head

Emily Vicente; Kevin White

Other key lawyers

Brett Burns; Roland Juarez; Christopher Pardo